He had to work for it though, well, at least over the first and only climb of the day. After a big effort on Lookout Mountain by nearly everyone, the race regrouped as it headed into Denver proper for the circuits that would yield a bunch sprint and the conclusion of the first ever USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

Photography by Darrell Parks – www.darrellparks.com –

Levi Leipheimer was a man in demand at the sign-in.

The fans showed up in force on Sunday – estimates put the total at a quarter of a million!

Racers head out of Golden – direction Lookout Mountain and a showdown on the iconic Front Range climb.

By the series of switchbacks about midway up the climb, the leading group was reduced to a select few.

The pace was hot up Lookout Mountain, but it wasn’t enough to dislodge Leipheimer from his protected roost at the top of the standings.

Andy Schleck climbs in his Most Aggressive Rider jersey.

Yep, a monster.

It’s circuit time!

The Denver circuit provided a fan friendly, thrilling conclusion to a fantastic week of racing.

Viviani and Oss weren’t the only two Liguigassers gaining accolades on the finishing circuits – an aggressive Golden resident, Timmy Duggan, did enough attacking to net himself the day’s Most Aggressive Rider award.

Elia Viviani celebrates, while Daniel Oss takes the win.

A happy Daniel Oss on the podium.

Unsurprisingly, Garmin-Cervelo were the top team of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

Reason enough to share some bubble.

The final podium: Levi, Vande Velde, and Van Garderen.

Levi gets his due smooches.

A happy Levi Leipheimer.

Let the spraying begin.

The collected jerseys on the final podium.

A big thanks to Darrell’s moto man, Leon, who was actually a moto-driver way back at the Coors Classic.